#jim decker

The greater Vancouver area boasts some of the best courses in Canada for both experienced and amateur players. One of the most convenient courses for Vancouver residents is Seymour Golf & Country Club, located about 15 minutes from downtown. The private club has a wonderful practice area and driving range for perfecting your skills before hitting the green. The course itself is set against a beautiful, lush forest and is open to the public during the week. The complicated greens and treed fairways provide a welcome challenge for more experienced players. Enthusiasts may also want to check out the 18-hole course at University Golf Club, which has a number of sand and water hazards, among other challenges. Offsetting the difficulty of the course, the club has a relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous waterfront views. Northlands Golf Course has earned a reputation as one of the best courses on the West Coast. With excellent drainage that ensures the course is always dry and ready for play, Northlands is open throughout the year and provides golfers with breathtaking views of North Vancouver. The club has a fully stocked golf shop and offers lessons for men, women, and juniors.                            

Grip is extremely important to a player's golf game. In a poor grip, the hands work against each other and steal power and control from the swing. In a good grip, the hands work together to deliver a solid strike to the ball. The most popular grip among golfers is the overlapping grip, also called the “Vardon overlap,” after golfer Harry Vardon. Most golf instructors teach students this grip first. It involves placing the little finger of the dominant hand between the index and middle fingers of the non-dominant hand, so that the non-dominant thumb runs along the lifeline of the dominant hand. The interlocking grip has also become popular, largely due to its use by top players like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. This style is ideal for people with small hands or weak wrists. In this grip, the little finger of the dominant hand intertwines with the index finger of the non-dominant hand. Again, the non-dominant thumb should tuck along the lifeline of the dominant hand. Amateur golfers may feel like they have more control with an interlocking grip than with an overlapping one.                            

The power of a golf swing relies largely on a golfer’s setup and backswing. To generate long, straight drives, golfers must understand how to use the momentum of a club to achieve the most force. Most modern drivers have large, weighted heads to the get ball aloft. This design rewards golfers who catch the ball not at the very bottom of the downswing but at the start of the upswing. To do so, golfers should place the ball opposite the non-dominant toe and take a wider stance than normal. It also helps to drop one’s dominant shoulder a little more than usual. When swinging, golfers need to swing up and follow through completely. Looking at clouds, trees, or mountaintops in the distance can ensure proper form. To build power in the backswing, a golfer must twist his or her body. The backswing starts by turning the non-dominant shoulder away from the target and shifting weight to the dominant foot. At the top of the backswing, a golfer’s back should face the target. As the swing comes down, shifting weight to the non-dominant side unleashes power and speed.

Even the best golfers continually seek ways to improve their swing. A great swing delivers power to the ball while enabling the golfer to maintain control. To improve their swing, golfers must focus first on grip and then on follow-through. Beginners usually do not understand how much grip has to do with a good swing. People who play infrequently tend to grip with their palms, which causes hooks and slices, since the hands exert too much control on the path of the club. Ideally, players should grip the club more with their fingers than their palms, and the grip should be relaxed enough to let the swing take a natural path and gain power through gravity and momentum. Golfers may also overlook the importance of a smooth, balanced follow-through. Too often, players stop paying attention to the swing as soon as they make contact with the ball. When swinging, players should start with their head down and chin up, then allow their head to naturally rise with the dominant shoulder after impact, which creates a complete follow-through and ensures that the swing does not lose its power.                            

Slicing remains one of the most frustrating problems that golfers face. Because so many factors can lead to a slice, diagnosing the exact cause takes time and patience. For some golfers, a slice results from a poor grip. Ideally, the Vs formed by the thumb and forefinger of both hands are visible and pointing toward the non-dominant shoulder. The grip should be strong, yet light enough for the hands to easily rotate and square the clubface to the ball upon impact. A slightly closed stance also helps achieve the proper swing motion. During the backswing, golfers should turn their non-dominant shoulder away from the target and let the corresponding heel come off the ground slightly. The majority of a golfer’s weight should rest on the back foot at the top of the backswing. During the downswing, golfers should step down on the non-dominant heel and let that hip rotate toward the target while keeping the dominant elbow close to the hip. As the clubface makes impact, the golfer’s shoulder should be square to the target. The hands and arms should then pass the body, and the force of the swing should bring the dominant foot up from the ground.                            

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